Incredible scenery and the world renowned whitewater of the Gauley River make this Spring / Summer rafting trip unforgettable.

Trip Description

The Intermediate Spring/Summer Gauley

The Intermediate Gauley is an exciting and technical rafting run through one of the East’s most scenic whitewater river canyons. There are plenty of rapids, but also plenty of time to kick back and enjoy this unique outdoor whitewater experience.

On this section, the drops are not as steep as those of the Upper Gauley and there are calm rescue pools below every rapid. While a swim on the Upper Gauley can be a serious event, the Lower section is much more forgiving. As with the Upper, we vary the boat size and the access points to customize the trip for that day’s conditions.

If this is your first whitewater rafting trip, we especially recommend the Intermediate Spring/Summer Gauley. This is also the perfect section of river to try a Ducky. Your guides will give all the funyak drivers a thorough orientation including paddling techniques and special safety measures. The guides lead you through the rapids and are always there if you need help. Driving your own boat on a true whitewater river is something you’ll always remember.

Don't forget…at ACE, if you book a Summertime Gauley trip, you’ll GET a Summertime Gauley trip.

You can also enjoy a number of other adventures here at the ACE Resort, like an ATV Tour, a round of Paintball, Mountain Biking, or a Rock Climbing tour to keep your adventure rolling!

Trip Format

Trip Format

You'll run the very same rapids that make the fall Gauley dam release so special...Sweets Falls, Lost Paddle, Pillow Rock and all the rest are even steeper and rockier at lower summertime flows. Depending on water levels you may even find yourself on the remote and beautiful Middle or Lower Gauley. Summer water flows determine our boats...60% of the time, we're in high-performance rafts, 40% of the time we're in our quick, inflatable kayaks. Class III-V rapids.

This trip is awesome! 

Here’s how it works…At 8 am on the day of the trip, we call the Army Corps of Engineers to get the day’s release info so we can determine the boat size we will use for the day’s trips. Based on 20 years of data, these are the average flows on the Gauley River. 

April – The Corp is usually not releasing so they may bring the lake to summer pool.
May – 2200 cfs (cubic feet per second)
June – 1900 cfs
July – 1050 cfs
August – 950 cfs
World Famous Fall Release is usually 2500-2800 cfs.

The Season

The Season

The Upper Gauley has runnable flows 95% of the year. The summer releases are usually at a reduced level because the Army Corps releases the same flow that is coming into the lake. Lower summer levels make the drops steeper, more technical and often times more challenging. We use the smallest high performance boats that weather conditions allow.  Fall Draw Down brings the biggest levels of the year and attracts people from all over the world to challenge the world-class whitewater of the Gauley River.

What To Wear

What To Wear And Bring

May - August
Swimsuit, t-shirt, ball cap
Old Sneakers or river shoes
Towel, dry set of clothes
Sunscreen, glasses strap

Gauley water comes from the bottom of the dam and is rather cold, even on hot summer days we recommend a sleeveless wetsuit and a windbreaker.  These are available for rent at ACE.

Lunch

Gourmet Lunch

Deli-Variety of cold cuts and cheeses for sandwiches, PB & J, assorted salads (pasta, seafood, potato), baked beans, chips & salsa, veggies & dip, trail mix, fresh fruit, cookies & desserts. Drinks may include water and lemonade. There are no restroom facilities alongside the river.

River Map

Rapids of The Gauley River